After easily disposing of two playoff foes, Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets aren't about to be intimidated by the Lakers

After Denver clinched its first Western Conference finals appearance in 24 years last week, Carmelo Anthony remembered how his Olympic teammates used to joke with him last summer about the direction the Nuggets were heading.

After they were swept by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round last season, the Nuggets commenced to slashing their payroll. They sent starting center Marcus Camby to the Los Angeles Clippers for a second-round pick in 2010, and they did not re-sign unrestricted free agent Eduardo Najera.

"I was kind of the joke of the USA team because we got rid of (some) of our guys, " Anthony said. "And I told everybody that the Denver Nuggets are going to be there at the end of the year."

Anthony has proved to be correct. Like the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference, the Nuggets have been the most dominating playoff team in the Western Conference, overshadowing the favored Lakers, who they face tonight in Game 1 at the Staples Center.

With their punishing defensive style, effective bench and brilliant play from point guard Chauncey Billups and Anthony, the Nuggets eliminated the Hornets and Dallas Mavericks in five games. The Lakers, however, had to fight off a difficult challenge from the Houston Rockets that ended with a Game 7 victory Sunday in Los Angeles.

"They are playing with much more confidence, " Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said about the Nuggets. "Their defense has become a priority factor for them. It's always a big deal for a team when they believe in defense. We know what type of team we're facing."

The Nuggets are 8-2 in the playoffs, and they have won 16 consecutive games at the Pepsi Center. Their biggest obstacle is expected to be guard Kobe Bryant, who has averaged 27.4 points in the opening two rounds.

Anthony will get the defensive assignment against Bryant, and Kenyon Martin will draw Pau Gasol, who has shown a tendency to avoid physical play. Martin is one of the most physical power forwards in the league. Martin's defensive play against David West was a big reason the Nuggets dominated the Hornets.

"It's a blessing to get where we are right now, " Anthony said. "We play hard, and we attack the basket. On any given night, we have two or three players other than myself that can have a big night. Now, defense is our main focus."

Former Hornets center Chris Andersen comes off the bench for the Nuggets and is one of their top defenders. Backup guard J.R. Smith, also a former Hornet, is a perimeter threat, averaging 16.3 points.

But it has been Billups who has made the biggest impact since arriving from the Detroit Pistons in a trade for Allen Iverson last November. Billups has been like a coach on the floor, knowing when to accelerate the pace, settle his teammates and shoot 3-pointers.

Billups has made 54 percent of his shots beyond the 3-point line, and his 22.1 scoring average trails only Anthony's 27.0 average.

"This absolutely has been a storybook season, " said Billups, a Denver native. "I couldn't write a better script for me, coming home and trying to lead the team that I've always grew up watching and cheering for."

Effective play in the post from Nene, Martin and Anderson could be the key to the series. The Lakers play inspired at times but have shown a tendency to follow it with an inconsistent effort. They won Game 5 against Houston by 40 points. In Game 6, the Lakers lost by 15 to set the stage for their decisive Game 7 victory.

"I think the Lakers will be the favorite; I just don't think Denver has been tested, " Houston forward Shane Battier said after Sunday's 89-70 defeat. "At this point, they played a New Orleans team that sort of was coming apart at the seams at times. A Dallas team that was without (injured) Josh Howard. They're (Nuggets) playing with a lot of confidence. It will be interesting to see how they react to adversity for the first time in the playoffs."

Anthony said they do not mind proving themselves again, especially against the Lakers, whom they lost three of four games against in the regular season.

"A lot of people didn't expect us to be here; a lot of people didn't expect us to win our division, " Anthony said. "For the most part, we did a hell of a job this season, but we have unfinished business to take care of."